Murder charges filed in fatal drunk driving crash

A Columbia man is being held without bond on charges of second degree murder, assault, drunk driving persistent offender, driving while revoked in connection with the death of Chelsea Fredrickson, of Camdenton.

A Columbia man is being held without bond on charges of second degree murder, assault, drunk driving persistent offender, driving while revoked in connection with the death of Chelsea Fredrickson, of Camdenton.

Dennis G. Leporin, 29, was charged late last week. Fredrickson was killed in a two-vehicle accident the evening of March 6 at Highways 54 and 179 south of Jefferson City in Cole County. A passenger in Fredrickson's car, Jasper Richmond, was taken to University Hospital in Columbia.

According to the Jefferson City Police Department, Leporin was headed the wrong way on southbound Highway 54 when he hit Fredrickson.

Leporin was taken to Capitol Region Medical Center for treatment before being charged and held without bond.

Leporin was charged as a persistent offender on the DWI. According to court records, Leporin had a prior DWI conviction in 2011 in Camden County. Leporin has a history of other traffic related charges in other counties.